Title: The Impact of Social Media on Body Image and Self-Esteem in Young Adults

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the impact of social media on body image and self-esteem
in young adults. The study will use a mixed-methods approach, involving both quantitative and
qualitative data collection and analysis. The sample will consist of 200 young adults aged 18 to 25
years old, who are active users of social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
The quantitative data will be collected using standardized questionnaires on body image
satisfaction, self-esteem, and social media use. The qualitative data will be collected through semi-
structured interviews with a subset of the participants.
The findings of this study will provide insight into the extent to which social media impacts body
image satisfaction and self-esteem in young adults. The research aims to identify specific features
of social media that contribute to these negative effects, including exposure to unrealistic beauty
standards, cyberbullying, and social comparison. By analyzing the data, the study will explore the
relationship between social media use, body dissatisfaction, and self-esteem, and provide
recommendations for interventions to mitigate these negative effects.
Introduction: Social media has become a ubiquitous aspect of daily life for young adults, with the
average person spending up to two hours per day on social media platforms. While social media
provides many benefits, including opportunities for social connection and information sharing,
research has shown that it can also have negative effects on mental health, particularly in relation to
body image satisfaction and self-esteem.
Body dissatisfaction is a widespread problem, particularly among young women, who are exposed
to unrealistic beauty standards through social media. Research has shown that exposure to idealized
images on social media can lead to negative body image and self-esteem, particularly among those
who engage in frequent social comparison. Social media has also been linked to cyberbullying,
which can have a detrimental effect on mental health and well-being.
Methodology: This study will employ a mixed-methods approach, using both quantitative and
qualitative data collection and analysis. The sample will consist of 200 young adults aged 18 to 25
years old, who are active users of social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
The participants will be recruited through convenience sampling and will be asked to complete
standardized questionnaires on body image satisfaction, self-esteem, and social media use.
The quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including
correlation and regression analyses, to explore the relationship between social media use, body
dissatisfaction, and self-esteem. The qualitative data will be collected through semi-structured
interviews with a subset of the participants, selected based on their responses to the questionnaires.
The interviews will be analyzed using thematic analysis to identify specific features of social media
that contribute to negative effects on body image and self-esteem.
Results: The study results will provide insight into the extent to which social media impacts body
image satisfaction and self-esteem in young adults. The findings will identify specific features of
social media that contribute to negative effects, including exposure to unrealistic beauty standards,
cyberbullying, and social comparison.
The results will also explore the relationship between social media use, body dissatisfaction, and
self-esteem, and provide recommendations for interventions to mitigate these negative effects. The
study findings will be of value to mental health professionals, social media platform designers, and
policymakers, who can use the results to develop interventions and policies that promote positive
mental health and well-being among young adults.
Conclusion: This study aims to investigate the impact of social media on body image and self-
esteem in young adults. The mixed-methods approach will provide a comprehensive understanding
of the extent to which social media contributes to negative effects on mental health, particularly in
relation to body dissatisfaction and self-esteem. The findings of this study will provide insight into
the specific features of social media that contribute to these negative effects, and Discussion: The
results of this study indicate that the majority of college students believe that taking a break from
social media has a positive impact on their mental health. However, despite this belief, a significant
number of students reported that they still use social media excessively and find it difficult to take a
break. These findings suggest that more education and support are needed to help students regulate
their social media use and take breaks when needed.
Furthermore, this study highlights the need for more research on the long-term effects of social
media use on mental health. While previous studies have found a link between excessive social
media use and negative mental health outcomes, more research is needed to determine the causal
relationship between the two. Future research could also examine the effectiveness of different
interventions aimed at reducing social media use and promoting mental health among college
students.
Conclusion: Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the perceptions and experiences of
college students regarding social media use and its impact on mental health. The findings suggest
that while many students believe that taking a break from social media can have a positive impact
on their mental health, they still struggle to regulate their use. Further research and interventions are
needed to support college students in managing their social media use and promoting their mental
health.